Coast Guard rescues man, woman from Lake Erie near Avon Lake, Ohio

CLEVELAND – A U.S. Coast Guard boatcrew from Station Lorain, Ohio, rescued a man and woman after they fell off a personal watercraft and were unable to restart it in Lake Erie near Miller Road Park in Avon Lake, Ohio, Wednesday afternoon.

The man and woman, both 18 years old, were able to climb back aboard the personal watercraft after falling off about 150 yards from the pier, but became stranded when they couldn’t restart it.

A passerby on shore noticed them struggling and called Station Lorain about 4:45 p.m. to report the incident and request help.

A boatcrew immediately launched aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small and arrived on scene at 5:07 p.m. The boatcrew brought the two, who were wearing life jackets, aboard the RB-S and took them into the heated cabin since both were showing signs of hypothermia. They then transported them to shore at Miller Road Park where awaiting EMTs evaluated and released them.

Although the air temperature was unseasonably warm at 71 degrees, the lake water is still only 40 degrees – cold enough to cause hypothermia in a relatively short period of time.

The Coast Guard urges those who recreate on or near the water to dress for the water temperature instead of the air temperature.